De Boer is currently in his fourth season in charge at Ajax and has very good footballing pedigree as a player – and is establishing one as a manager having won three Eredivisie titles in charge of Ajax.

Both clubs have changed their managers in recent years – with Spurs changing their boss as recently as December when Tim Sherwood took over from Andre Villas-Boas as Head Coach.

De Boer said: ‘Tottenham called my manager with the possibility after sacking Villas-Boas but I said, ‘no, right now it’s not the right moment.’

The Dutchman – who won five league titles and the Champions League amongst other honours at Ajax – said Liverpool ‘especially’ wanted to talk to him, and has not ruled out managing either club one day but said he is happy at Ajax for now.

He said: ‘Those two clubs are clubs that I think in the future I could be a manager of. I think the history of the clubs and what you can do with the team is my cup of tea.

‘I step in my car with a big smile to go to the club. I don’t think I’m finished here but there will come a time when I don’t like it any more or the club doesn’t like me anymore. Then we have to go both ways.’

Given the work De Boer has done at Ajax so far, it doesn’t look as though the club will be keen to let him go any time soon.

If he were to take the Liverpool job in the near future, something would have dramatically changed in their fortunes under Brendan Rodgers as his side has shown significant signs of progression. If Tim Sherwood can continue Tottenham’s revival this season, the hierarchy at White Hart Lane may want him to stick around for a little while yet.

We may see De Boer in the Premier League one day, but not for a little while yet.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.